19 SEPTEMBER 2023 emotion, length of dance and demands on stamina are all put into practice,” Kalyani said. The first dance, the Pushpanjali, is a welcoming performance where the dance gets blessings from the divine, the audience, the musicians and the teacher. The second and third, Alraippu and Jatiswaram, are shorter dances focused on footwork and movements to show that the dancer is prepared for the longer dances ahead. The fourth and longest dance is the Varnam. It is the peak of the performance and takes 20 minutes to complete. The footwork is more complex and showcases the dancer’s resilience. The next three highlight specific stories with a blend of footwork and expression. These pieces allow dancers to share different elements of their cultural backgrounds with the audience. “I did one dance in the Kuchipudi style, which is the dance from the state where my mother’s family is from,” Kalyani said. “I also did a dance from northern India, where my father’s side of the family is from. That was influenced by the style of dance known as Kathak.” Kalyani explained that the last two dances happened one right after the other. “The Thillana is a technically challenging dance with a lot of jumping and brisk movements. There is a section where the teacher challenges the dancer by speaking out a pattern that the dancer has to match through dance. Since this comes at the end of 90 minutes, it is quite the challenge!” Kalyani said. The Mangalam is the final dance, where Kalyani thanks the divine, the audience, the musicians and her teacher. Flower petals rained down on Kalyani – the Arangetram was complete. “This is where the dancer becomes an artist in her own right. It was a very powerful and emotional moment,” she said. Kalyani had four costume changes during the performance, made up of modified saris tailored for Indian classical dance. Her saris were designed in India and sent to Phoenix. A lot of jewelry is also worn with each costume. Pieces include a headdress, two necklaces, three nose rings, large earrings, an ornate belt, silver anklets and bangles. One of the most essential costume pieces is the Ghungaroo (the bells), which were blessed and tied on Kalyani’s ankles. They helped her carry rhythm during the dances. “I had a whole team of aunties backstage helping me with costume changes. They were able to get a complete costume change done in seven minutes,” she said. Now that Kalyani has completed her Arangetram, she plans to continue dancing but hasn’t decided if she will continue studying Bharatanatyam or explore other forms. Outside of dance, Kalyani participates in theater productions and the women’s choir at Veritas. She’s part of the school’s yearbook club and volunteers at the public library. “I have some ideas of what I might want to do for a career after graduation, but I have a few years to decide,” she said. kalyanidance.com/video SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE 6828 E. CAMELBACK RD. SCOTTSDALE AZ 85251 602-834-2700 Woodbridge Interiors, formerly Thomasville & More is Arizona’s destination for quality fine home furnishings, featuring a wide variety of trusted national brand names including Tommy Bahama Home, Stickley, Lexington, Century, Hooker Furniture, Bernhardt, Natuzzi, American Leather & many more. ask about our complimentary in-home design | Mon-Sat 10-5 Sun 11-5 | woodbridgeinteriors.com hurry in during our summer sale! It was a very powerful and emotional moment.

20 SEPTEMBER 2023 L abor Day is an annual holiday that pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. One way we can celebrate them is through food and fun! Here are a few Arizona spots hosting Labor Day specials: Frasher’s Smokehouse 3222 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix frasherssmokehouse.com Frasher’s is celebrating its 24th anniversary with a Labor Day weekend party. Starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 2 and Sunday, September 3, Frasher’s will offer Texas-style BBQ, including their new smoked sausage, plus brisket, sides and banana pudding. On Sunday, they will have a whole hog pulled pork dinner with sides and a drink for $25. The smokehouse will have live bands playing in the afternoons, lawn games for the whole family and drink specials for the grown-ups! Mountain Shadows 5445 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley mountainshadows.com Mountain Shadows’ weekend of fun begins with a Veuve Cliquot tasting from 4 to 6 p.m. On Friday-Monday, guests can check out a sunset yoga session on the lawn from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for locals. The Hearth ’61 bar will have live music on Friday and Saturday from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday can be spent poolside, where guests can order barbeque specials like a chipotle pulled pork sandwich or Korean BBQ chicken bowl. A DJ and live saxophone will play from noon to 3 p.m. both days. Hearth ’61 will hold a Spirited Sipping Seminar on Saturday at 3 p.m., which offers guests a tasting and lesson in all things tequila. Tickets are $40. Wind down the weekend with a sound healing session on Sunday at 10 a.m. Tickets are $20 for locals. Hotel Valley Ho 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale hotelvalleyho.com Labor Day weekend kicks off with a Smoke + Whiskey dinner on September 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. Guest chef and Texas pit master Brendan Lamb, along with Zuzu’s Executive Chef Russell LaCasce, has created a special barbeque dinner menu. There will be three courses with whiskey cocktail pairings while Nashville singer D. Vincent Williams performs throughout the evening. The dinner costs $129. On Saturday, ZuZu is serving up barbeque specials for brunch and dinner along with its seasonal menus. On Sunday and Monday, barbeque snacks by Chef Brendan will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. STK Steakhouse 7134 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale stksteakhouse.com STK Steakhouse is offering 50 percent off of food dishes for doctors, nurses, police, fire, EMTs, hospital workers and teachers from September 1-September 4. Available for dine-in only. Must show proof of work badge, paystub, or ID. Octane Raceway 9119 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale octaneraceway.com Channel your inner lumberjack with half-off axe-throwing all day at Octane Raceway. Doors open at 10 a.m. for a full day of go-kart races, virtual reality sessions, axe-throwing or fun at the arcade. When you get hungry, The Brickyard Grill offers appetizers, entrees, and beverages. Happy Hour is from 3-6 p.m. – $2 off select appetizers, $2 off well drinks and half off drafts. FOUND:RE Hotel 1100 N. Central Ave., Phoenix foundrehotels.com In celebration of the three-day weekend, FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel is hosting a Yacht Rock Pool Party on Saturday, September 2. Hang out poolside from 12-5 p.m. while DJ Edward Joseph spins “yacht rock” classics (think of Jimmy Buffet’s Pina Colada song). Food and drink specials will be available for purchase from Match Market & Bar during the event. Roaring Fork 4800 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale roaringfork.com Roaring Fork is hosting its annual “Dinner on Us” event on September 4. It’s buy one, get one free all evening beginning at 4 p.m. Roaring Fork will be serving signature “wood-fired” favorites, including grilled fish tacos, bacon- wrapped pork tenderloin, braised pork shoulder carnitas, rainbow trout with seasonal vegetables, rotisserie chicken with cornbread stuffing, and more. D-Bat Scottsdale 9109 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale dbatscottsdale.com D-Bat Scottsdale is hosting baseball and softball clinics on Labor Day, Monday, September 4, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Kids aged 6-14 can head to the facility to practice drills, participate in fun games and more. The camp costs $75 per person, and extra innings (from 2-4 p.m.) can be purchased for $40. Kona Grill 7014 E. Camelback Road konagrill.com Kona is also offering 50 percent off of dishes for doctors, nurses, police, fire, EMTs, hospital workers and teachers from September 1-September 4. Available for dine-in only. Must show proof of work badge, paystub, or ID . Queen Creek Olive Mill 25062 S. Meridian Road, Queen Creek queencreekolivemill.com This spot is a drive, but hopefully, the weather will be nice enough to cruise with the windows down! Queen Creek Olive Mill is hosting a Labor Day Weekend Sangria Social on Saturday, September 2. Guests can enjoy three sea sonal-i n spi red house-made sangrias. The Mill will also host a ‘Grill at the Mill’ event from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., with live music, grill-inspired menus, games in the grove and more. The Montauk 4360 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale themontaukaz.com The Montauk in Old Town is hosting a Labor Day brunch from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be fan-favorite items like the weekender sandwich or the short rib huevos rancheros, and live, local music playing throughout the day. Mavrix 9139 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale mavrix.com On Monday, September 4, guests can enjoy a $15 Unlimited Fun Pass good for bowling, laser tag and billiards all day. Attendees can also get a buy-one, get one free $20 game card from 10-11 a.m. Here are a few suggestions to enjoy the long Labor Day weekend! queencreekolivemill.com This spot is a drive, but hopefully, the weather will be nice enough to cruise with the windows down! Queen Creek Olive Mill is hosting a Labor Day Weekend Sangria Social on Saturday, September 2. Guests can enjoy three sea sonal-i n spi red house-made sangrias. hopefully, the weather will be nice enough to cruise